Published: June 19, 2008 08:39 pm      

Locals win big at Red Earth

EDMOND — For three exciting days in June, Oklahoma City became the center of Native American art and culture in America as the 22nd Annual Red Earth Native American Cultural opened.

With its opening Edmond School District’s Native American students joined nearly 2,000 American Indian artists and dancers from throughout North America as they celebrated the richness and diversity of their heritage.

“The district’s students entered the student art contest and walked away with almost a third of the awards given,” said Sydna Yellowfish with Edmond’s Title VII Indian Education program.

Susan Sheldon, a Memorial High School 2008 graduate, brought home one of many first place awards with a first place in Division III Basketry.

A member of the Cherokee Nation, Susan said she had made one other double-walled basket and she wanted to do another one.

“It was pretty easy for me,” Susan said.

Susan also participated in Edmond Public Schools’ Professional Internship program during the spring semester and is helping for the second summer with the Johnson O’Malley Summer program, which is taking place now through June 27.

In the fall, Susan will attend Haskell Indian Nation College at Lawrence, Kan.

Other winners in Basketry Div. III included: Jasmine Tarti, second place; Div. II: Dale Reeves, first place; Kimberly Sheldon, third place; and Div. I: Auri Benton, first place and Carly Richardson, second place.

Sculpture, Div. II: Alex Richardson, third.

Beadwork, Div. III: Jackson Lisle, third; and Div. II: Kimberly Sheldon, second.

Cultural Items, Div. III: Jackson Lisle, third; and Div. I: Madison Nichols, first.

Jewelry, Div. I: Me Way Sa Greenwood, first; and Auri Blenton, second.

Painting, Div. I: Me Way Sa Greenwood, first.

Pottery, Div. III: Jackson, Lisle, second; Madison Nichols, third; and Div. I: Grant Nichols, first.